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83
Late notification, probably due to delay in seeking
medical treatment, is shown by the following figures:—
Notified practically at time of death 2
„ within 1 month „ „ 8
,, „ 3 months ,, ,, 8
,, ,, 6 months „ „ 5
The foregoing figures are tragic. It is impossible
to say that everyone of these 32 patients would have
been saved from a premature death from Tuberculosis
even if he had been seen by a doctor earlier in the course
of the disease but it is certain that many of them
would have had their resistance to the disease
strengthened and many more years of useful life if
they had promptly sought medical advice and treatment
when the first symptoms appeared. I am afraid,
however, that until the community has the foresight
to provide for the maintenance of the family of the
tuberculous worker during his necessary treatment
and for his industrial protection afterwards, it is futile
to expect his early recourse to the doctor. For the
average worker, a diagnosis of tuberculosis is tantamount
to a sentence of increasing poverty for his
family. If he accepts treatment in a sanatorium they
are deprived of their breadwinner. If he delays
treatment, his condition gets progressively worse and
he finds increasing difficulty in earning a living. I refer
to this subject again in commenting on Dr. Howell's
report on the Dispensary.
TUBERCULOSIS DISPENSARY.
The Tuberculosis Dispensary for the borough is
provided under agreement by the City of London
Hospital for Diseases of the Heart and Lungs and is
shared with the Hackney Borough Council. A full
report on the work of the Dispensary, by Dr. H. T.
Howell, the Clinical Tuberculosis Officer, appears in the
appendix to this report on page 128. This position,
adopted for convenience, by no means indicates the
relative importance of Dr. Howell's report, and I